Armrest compartment with cupholder

ABSTRACT

A vehicular armrest (20) includes an interior compartment (40) which receives a beverage container holder assembly. The holding assembly is pivotally secured to the armrest (20) for rotation between a stored position inside the compartment (40) and an operational position outside the armrest compartment (40). The holding assembly includes two semi-circular arms (54,54&#39;) which are operatively connected to an actuating mechanism (52) which automatically expands the semi-circular members (54, 54&#39;) upon rotation toward the operational position. In the operational position, the two semi-circular members (54,54&#39;) form two distinct beverage container receptacles in the holding assembly. The actuating mechanism also automatically collapses the semi-circular arms (54,54&#39;) as the holding assembly is rotated toward the storage position to compactly store the holding asembly within the compartment (40) of the armrest (20). A T-shaped bar (92) is pivotally attached to the holding assembly to support the bottom of a beverage container (C) when the arms (54,54&#39;) are in the expanded operational position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to beverage container holding assemblies,and more particularly to beverage container holding assemblies which canbe compactly stored in a recessed compartment of an armrest for avehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

It is frequently convenient to consume beverages while an occupant in avehicle. The ability to set the beverage container upon a stable supportor in a receptacle is desirable, and particularly useful for the driverwho may require the use of both hands.

Beverage container holding assemblies for this purpose are well known inthe prior art and are mounted in such diverse locations as adjacent thedash board, the vehicle door, the floor board, and upon the passengerseat. However, it has been found particularly appealing to locate thebeverage container holding assembly inside a compartment of vehiclearmrest disposed between the driver and passenger seating portions inthe vehicle.

For example, the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,417,764 to Marcus et al, issued Nov.29, 1983 and 4,783,037 to Flowerday, issued Nov. 8, 1988 each disclosebeverage container holding assemblies which are slideably mounted in theend of a vehicle armrest for linear movement between a recessed storagecondition and an extended operational position. Conversely, the U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,733,908 to Dykstra et al, issued Mar. 29, 1988 and 4,792,184to Lindberg et al, issued Dec. 20, 1988, both disclose beveragecontainer holding assemblies which are pivotally mounted to a vehiclearmrest for arcuate movement between a storage position in the armrestand an operational position outside the armrest.

The Flowerday teachings are most advantageous in that two pivoted armsare provided for supporting the girth of the beverage container, whicharms expand upon sliding movement of the assembly out of the armrest andcontract to a narrower storage width upon sliding movement of theassembly into the armrest compartment. However, it has been found muchmore desirable to secure the beverage holding assembly for pivotalmovement into and out of the armrest compartment as in the Dykstra andLindberg assemblies, instead of the Flowerday sliding movement.

The beverage holding assembly of the Dykstra assembly reference isdeficient in that the two semi-circular arms must be manually folded andunfolded in order to establish the beverage receptacle area and tocollapse the beverage receptacle area before storing the assemblycompactly in the armrest compartment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The subject invention contemplates a beverage container holding assemblyfor use in a vehicular armrest. The assembly comprises a girth supportmeans having at least one moveable arm for surrounding and supportingthe side wall of a beverage container. A hinge means defines a hingeaxis for rotatably connecting the girth support means to an armrest. Theinvention is characterized by the girth support means including acollapsing means for moving the arm between a support position and astorage position in a plane which is continuously parallel to the hingeaxis to allow compact storage of the assembly in a receptacle.

The unique movement of the arm of the subject invention provides abeverage container holding assembly which is both structurally sound andaesthetically appeasing. Also, the collapsing means provides for compactstorage of the assembly in a receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention disposed for usewith a vehicular seating assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the subject invention shown inpartial cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the subject invention as in FIG. 2and showing the beverage container holding assembly in an operationalposition and a lid of the armrest in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the subject invention showing the beveragecontainer holding assembly in an operational position;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the subject invention as in FIG. 4 and showingthe beverage container holding assembly in the storage position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container holdingassembly as taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container holdingassembly as taken along lines 7--7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container holdingassembly as taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container holdingassembly as taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the actuatormeans shown in an arcuate position midway between the storage positionand the operational position;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as in FIG. 10 showing anarcuate progression of the beverage container holding assembly towardthe operational position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as in FIG. 11 showing yet afurther arcuate progression of the beverage container holding assemblytoward the operational position;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the area circumscribed at 13 in FIG. 2showing the latch means of the subject invention;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the latch means as shownin FIG. 13 with the entire armrest rotated to a vertical position; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the receptacle hinge of the subjectinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a vehicular armrestassembly is generally shown at 20. Preferably, the armrest 20 isprovided with a comfortable, cushioned exterior conducive to prolongedcontact with the forearm portion of a passenger in the vehicle.

The armrest assembly 20 is mounted in association with a vehicularseating assembly, generally indicated at 22. The seating assembly 22typically includes a horizontal seat cushion 24 and a generally verticalbackrest cushion 26. The subject armrest assembly 20 is mounted forpivotal movement between a generally horizontal position wherein theelongated armrest assembly 20 is generally parallel to the surface ofthe seat cushion 24, and a generally vertical position wherein thearmrest assembly 20 is generally parallel the surface of the backrestcushion 26.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, movement of the armrest assembly 20between the horizontal and vertical positions is accomplished through anadjustment means comprising a pivotal connection 28 which includes astanchion 30 disposed on each side of the armrest assembly 20 andfixedly connected to the vehicle floor board or seating assembly 22. Aguide member 32 is fixed to the armrest assembly 20 and includes anarcuate slot 34 concentrically disposed about the pivotal connection 28.A pin (not shown) extends from each stanchion 30 into the concentricslot 34 of the guide member 32. As the arm rest assembly 20 is rotatedbetween the horizontal and vertical positions, the pin disposed in theconcentric slot 34 effectively establishes the limits of travel for thearmrest assembly 20. In order to provide a positive feel for the user ofthe armrest assembly 20, the two ends of the arcuate slot 34 are formedwith an enlarged opening 36. The pin extending from the stantion 30 issized so as to loosely fit in the enlarged openings 36 at each end ofthe slot 34, but to tightly fit in the slot 34 so that upon reaching thevertical position or horizontal position, the armrest assembly 20 willprovide feedback that it has reached its point of maximum movement.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the armrest assembly 20 includes areceptacle means 38 having a predetermined receptacle width forinclusion inside the vehicular armrest 20. The receptacle width isperhaps best viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5 as comprising the narrowest widthmeasure of the elongated receptacle 38. The receptacle means 38 includesa lower compartment 40, an upper lid 42, and a receptacle hinge 44 whichinterconnects the lower compartment 40 and the lid 42. Therefore, accessis gained to the receptacle 38 via the lid 42, as shown in FIG. 1.

A girth support means, generally indicated at 46, has a predeterminedsupport width parallel to the receptacle width and larger than thereceptacle width for surrounding and supporting the side wall of abeverage container C. The support width of the girth support means 46 isbest shown in FIG. 4 as being measured parallel to the measure of thereceptacle width. Therefore, the widest portion, or support width, ofthe girth support means 46 is larger than the width of the receptacle 38of the arm rest assembly 20.

A hinge means 48 defines a hinge axis A which extends parallel to boththe receptacle width of the armrest 20 and the support width of thegirth support means 46. The hinge means 48 rotatably connects the girthsupport means 46 to the receptacle means 38 of the arm rest 20 forallowing arcuate movement of the girth support means 46 between astorage condition disposed in the receptacle 38 and an operationalposition outside the receptacle 38. FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the girth supportmeans 46 is shown in the operational position outside of the receptacle38. Alternatively, in FIGS. 2 and 5 the girth support means 46 is shownin the storage condition disposed in the receptacle 38. Therefore, thehinge means 48 establishes a pivotal connection between the lowercompartment 40 of the receptacle 38 and the girth support means 46 suchthat the girth support means 46 is moveable in an arcuate path about thehinge axis A between an operational position and a storage position.

The invention is characterized by including a collapsing means,generally indicated at 50 in FIGS. 5 through 12, for automaticallycollapsing the support width to a dimension smaller than the receptaclewidth in response to arcuate movement of the girth support means 46toward the storage condition. The collapsing means 50 allows the girthsupport means 46 to be compactly stored in the midst of the receptacle38. Therefore, as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the collapsingmeans 50 reduces the support width to a smaller storage width as thegirth support means 46 is rotated about the hinge axis A from theoperational position to the storage position so that the girth supportmeans 46 can be compactly stored in the receptacle 38 of the armrestassembly 20.

The collapsing means 50 includes an actuator means, generally indicatedat 52 in FIGS. 5 through 12, for coacting with a portion of the lowercompartment 40 adjacent to the hinge means 48 to actuate the collapsingmeans 50. Therefore, the actuator means 52 engages and coacts with thelower compartment 40 upon rotation of the girth support means 46 aboutthe hinge axis A at a location on the lower compartment 40 which isproximate the hinge means 48.

The girth support means 46 includes a first articulated arm 54 which ismoveable in a curvilinear path in response to actuation of thecollapsing means 50. That is, the first arm 54 is caused to move as thecollapsing means 50 is actuated, which in turn is responsive to themovement of the girth support means 46 about the hinge axis A. A pivotmeans, or member, 56 is disposed between the first arm 54 and the girthsupport means 46 for establishing an arcuate movement of the first arm54 within a plane which is continuously parallel to the hinge axis A ofthe hinge means 48. Therefore, the pivot member 56 causes rotation ofthe first arm 54 about an axis which is perpendicular to the hinge axisA so that the arm 54 can move within a plane which remains parallel tothe hinge axis A at all times.

The girth support means 46 also includes a stationary first wall 58which is disposed opposite the first arm 54 and fixed relative to thepivot member 56. The first arm 54 and the first wall 58 each have agenerally semi-circular shaped inner periphery for forming a generallycircular shaped beverage container support area when the girth supportmeans 46 is expanded to the support width, as shown in FIG. 6. That is,the first arm 54 and the first wall 58 have confronting innerperipheries which are generally semi-circular shaped and arranged so asto form a circular-shaped beverage container support area when the girthsupport means 46 is fully expanded in the support width. The pivotmember 56 is disposed outside of the beverage container support area andcauses the first arm 54 to move relative to the first wall 58 in such amanner that the inner peripheries in the first arm 54 and first wall 58form a pointed eliptical, or football, shape when collapsed to thestorage position, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The first arm 54 includes a distal tip 60 which is spaced remotely fromthe pivot member 56 so as to sweep an arcuate path about the pivotmember 56. The distal tip 60 extends in a generally radially outwarddirection from the pivot member 56 and from the circular area defined bythe beverage container support area. The first wall 58 includes a tabportion 62 which is disposed for interlocking with the distal tip 60 ofthe first arm 54 when the girth support means 46 is expanded to thesupport width as shown in FIG. 6. The primary function of theinterlocking distal tip 60 and tab portion 62 is to prevent expansion ofthe support width beyond the preferred beverage container support area.In other words, if a relatively heavy beverage container (C) is placedin the circular support area between the first wall 58 and the first arm54, and intertial forces or gravitational forces urge the side wall ofthe beverage container (C) to bear against the first arm 54 in aradially outward direction, the interlocking distal tip 60 and tabportion 62 effectively maintain, or lock, the girth support means 46 atits support width and thereby prevent damage to the assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, the collapsing means 50 includes abiasing means, generally indicated at 64, which is operatively connectedto the girth support means 46 and continuously urges the girth supportmeans 46 toward the storage width. A slider element 66 is disposed forlinear reciprocating movement within a cylinder 68 disposed in the firstwall 58. The slider element 66 is operatively connected to the actuatormeans 52 for linear movement in response to actuation of the actuatormeans 52. The biasing means 64 includes a compression spring which isdisposed in the cylinder 68 and extends between the slider element 66and a portion of the first wall 58.

A drag link 70 extends between a first end 72 and a second end 74thereof. The first end 72 is pivotally connected to the slider element66, whereas the second end 74 is pivotally connected to a lever portion76 of the first arm 54. Therefore, as the slider element 66 moves in thecylinder 68, the drag link 70 connected to the lever portion 76 of thefirst arm 54 causes the first arm 54 to pivot about the pivot member 56.The biasing means 64 which urges the slider element 66 in apredetermined direction thus urges the first arm 54 to move toward itsstorage width position.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the actuator means 52 includes a bell crank78 having a driver end 80 which is disposed for engaging the portion ofthe lower compartment 40, and a driven end 82 opposite the driver end80. A connecting rod 84 extends between opposite ends with one of itsends being pivotally connected to the slider element 66 and the other ofits ends being pivotally connected to the driven end 82 of the bellcrank 78. Therefore, as the actuator means 52 is actuated upon rotationabout the hinge axis A, the driver end 80 of the bell crank 78 engages aportion of the lower compartment 40 thereby moving the driven end 82 ofthe bell crank 78 which, in turn, linearly reciprocates the sliderelement 66 through the connecting rod 84.

More particularly, the lower compartment 40 of the receptacle 38includes an outwardly extending lip 86 which is adapted to engage thedriver end 80 of the bell crank 78. Accordingly, the driver end 80 ofthe bell crank 78 is provided with a smooth caming surface 88 whichsmoothly engages and slides over the lip portion 86 of the lowercompartment, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12. As the girth supportmeans 46 is moved from the operational position to the collapsed storageposition, the caming surface 88 of the driver end 80 smoothly slidesover the lip portion 86 of the lower compartment 40 and, with the forceof the biasing means 64, automatically collapses the support width ofthe girth support means 46 to allow for compact storage in thereceptacle 38.

As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a bottom support means, generallyindicated at 90, is provided for supporting the bottom of the beveragecontainer C. The bottom support means 90 includes an L-shaped bar 92which is moveable between an operational position when the girth supportmeans 46 is expanded to the support width shown in FIG. 9, and a storageposition when the girth support means 46 is collapsed to the storagewidth as shown in FIG. 8.

A gravity centering means, generally indicated at 94, centers the bar 92along a diameter of the circular inner periphery of the first arm 54 andthe first wall 58 in response to the gravitational force when the bar 92is in the operational position. More specifically, the gravity centeringmeans 94 includes a T-shaped tooth 96 integral with the bar 92 whichmatingly engages a correspondingly shaped coacting pocket 98 disposed inthe first wall 58. The tooth 96 disposed in the pocket 98 maintains theL-shaped bar 92 in an orientation extending generally perpendicularlydownwardly from the girth support means 46, as shown in FIG. 9. However,upon movement of the girth support means 46 to the storage position, thetooth 96 freely moves out of the pocket 98 due to the gravitationalforces acting upon the bar 92 and compactly nests adjacent the undersideof the girth support means 46, as shown in FIG. 8.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the first wall 58 includes a radiallyextending opening 100 which is adapted to receive a handle of a beveragecontainer, such as a coffee mug. Also the first wall 58 includes apassage 102 which is best shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, through which thedistal tip 60 of the first arm 54 passes as it moves between theterminal storage width and the support width positions.

In FIGS. 1 and 4 through 7, the preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention is shown including a second articulated arm 54' which isdisposed oppositely the first arm 54. The second arm 54' moves in unisonwith the first arm 54 in an opposite arcuate direction relative to thefirst arm 54 and within a plane which is also continuously parallel tothe hinge axis A. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and second arm 54' ispivoted about a second pivot member 56' for arcuate movement between astorage width and a support width position just as the first arm 56. Asecond stationary wall 58' is integral with the first wall 58 andcooperates with the second arm 54' in exactly the same manner asdescribed above. The first 58 and second 58' walls are disposedback-to-back to form an integral unit commonly supporting the cylinder68, slider element 66, biasing means 64 and actuator means 52.

A second drag link 70' is coupled between the slider element 66 and alever portion 76' of the second arm 54'. Therefore, as the actuatormeans 52 urges the slider element 66 to move back and forth within thecylinder 68, the two drag links 70, 70' operate in unison to rotate therespective arms 54, 54' about their associated pivot members 56, 56', asthe girth support means 56 is rotated about the hinge axis A such thatthe arms 54, 54', walls 58, 58' and actuator means 52 rotate about thehinge axis A as an integral rotating unit.

In like manner, the bar 92 of the bottom support means 90 includes asecond integrally extending L-shaped member associated with the secondarm 54' and second wall 58' such that the unitary bar 92 of thepreferred embodiment forms a generally T-shape.

A resilient stabilizer pad 104 is fixedly connected to the first wall 58and extends radially inwardly therefrom for engaging and stabilizing abeverage container C disposed within the beverage container supportarea. Likewise, a second stabilizer pad 104' extends inwardly from thesecond 58' to perform the same function for a beverage container Cdisposed within the beverage container support area of the second arm54' and second wall 58'.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a portion of the lower compartment 40 andlid 42 of the receptacle 38 is shown including a latch means, generallyindicated at 106, for releasably latching the lid 42 to the lowercompartment 40. The latch means 106 includes an automatic locking means,generally indicated at 108, for automatically locking the lid 42 and thelower compartment 40 in a fastened condition when the receptacle 38 isin a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 14. More particularly, as thearmrest assembly 20 is pivoted about the pivotal connection 28 so thatit extends generally parallel to the surface of the backrest cushion 26,the automatic locking means 108 prevents the separation of the lid 42from the lower compartment 40.

This is accomplished by securing a deflectable fork member 110 to thelid 42 and providing a fork slot 112 in the lower compartment 40 adaptedto receive the fork member 110. The fork member 110 includes bulgeddistal tips 114 which have a width measure slightly larger than thewidth of the slot 112 so that insertion of the fork member 110 into theslot 12 necessitates an inward flexure of the bulged tips 114. Thebulged tips 114 are allowed to re-expand to a free state condition uponpassage completely through the slot 112 to thereby releasably fasten thelid 42 to the lower compartment 40.

The automatic locking means 108 includes a falling cylinder 116 disposedfor movement with the force of gravity in an arcuate channel 118. Thechannel 118, cylinder 116 and bulged tips 114 are so disposed that uponmovement of the armrest assembly 22 a vertical position, as shown inFIG. 14, the cylinder 116 rolls through the channel 116 to a positionbetween the two bulged tips 114. The presence of the cylinder 116intermediate the two bulged tips 114 prevents inward flexure of the forkmember 110 to thereby prevent removal of the fork member 110 from theslot 112. When the armrest assembly 20 is returned to the horizontalposition, the cylinder 116 rolls back to the position shown in FIG. 13thereby allowing the lid 42 to be opened again.

In FIG. 15, the receptacle hinge 44 is shown including a plurality oflid fingers 120 which extend outwardly from and are integrally connectedto the lid 42. Similarly a plurality of lower compartment fingers 122are disposed adjacent the lid fingers 120 and are integrally connectedto the lower compartment 40. Each of the lid fingers 120 and lowercompartment fingers 122 are arranged in a juxtaposed or interposedrelationship, and include two coaxially aligned hinge pins 124 extendingtherethrough. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 1, the pivotal axis formedby the hinge pin 124 of the receptacle hinge 44 is parallel to the hingeaxis A.

In FIGS. 1 though 5, the receptacle 38 is shown to include a pluralityof accessory features including a removable coin holder 126 supported onthe inner side wall of the lower compartment 40. Additionally, aplurality of widthwise partitions 128 extending parallel to the hingeaxis A are provided for supporting an array of cassette tape cases.Further, a plurality of lengthwise partitions 130 extend perpendicularto the hinge axis A and are fixedly attached to the lower floor portionof the lower compartment 40 and disposed to receive and securely hold aplurality of compact disc cases.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The subject invention provides a method for supporting and storing abeverage container holding assembly 46 which comprises the steps ofproviding a beverage container holding assembly 46 having a supportwidth, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, providing a storage receptacle 38having a receptacle width, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and providing ahinge means 48 for interconnecting the assembly 46 and the storagereceptacle 38 for relative rotation about the hinge axis A which, asdescribed above, extends parallel to the storage width and thereceptacle width. The method of the subject invention is characterizedby automatically collapsing the storage width of the assembly to a widthsmaller than the receptacle width, as shown in FIG. 5, as the assembly46 is rotated into the storage receptacle 38 and then automaticallyexpanding the storage width of the assembly 46 as the assembly 46 isrotated away from the storage receptacle 38, as shown in FIG. 4. As theassembly 46 is rotated from the storage position in the storagereceptacle 38 to the operational position, the T-shaped bar 92 of thebottom support means 90 is moved to a lower support position forsupporting the bottom of the beverage container C.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 through 12, the above described method isaccomplished by the driver end 80 of the bell crank 78 engaging andcamingly coacting with the lip 86 of the lower compartment 40 such thatthe connecting rod 84 displaces the slider element 66. Such displacementof the slider element 66 causes the drag links 70, 70' to pull on thelever portions 76, 76' of the first 54 and second 54 arms thereby urgingthem to rotate about their respective pivot members 56, 56'. Thesestructures are so arranged that full rotation of the assembly 46 to theoperational position moves the slider element 66 to a terminal strokeposition in the cylinder 68, and also causes engagement of therespective distal tips 60, 60' of the first 54 and second 54' armsagainst the tab portions 62, 62' of the first and second walls 58, 58'.

As the assembly 46 is rotated from the operational position back to arecessed storage position inside the receptacle 38, the counteractingforce of the biasing means 64 urges the slider element 66 to moverearwardly in the cylinder 68 thereby moving the first 54 and second 54'arms toward each other to thereby collapse the support width to thestorage width and allow for compact storage of the assembly 46 in thereceptacle 38.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims whereinreference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in anyway limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage container holding assembly for use ina vehicular armrest (20), said assembly comprising: girth support means(46) having at least one moveable first arm (54) and a stationary firstwall (58) disposed opposite said first arm (54) for surrounding andsupporting the side wall of a beverage container (C); hinge means (48)defining a hinge axis (A) for rotatably connecting said girth supportmeans (46) to an armrest (20); and characterized by said girth supportmeans (46) including collapsing means (50) for moving the entirety ofsaid first arm (54) between a support position and a storage position ina plane continuously parallel to said hinge axis (A) toward and awayfrom said first wall (58) while maintaining said first wall (58) fixedrelative to said plane of first arm (54) movement to allow compactstorage of said assembly in a receptacle (38).
 2. An assembly as setforth in claim 1 wherein said arm (54) comprises a first arm (54),further characterized by said first arm (54) including pivot means (56)for moving said first arm (54) in a curvilinear path between saidsupport position and said storage position.
 3. An assembly as set forthin claim 2 wherein said first arm (54) includes a distal tip (60) spacedfrom said pivot means (56), further characterized by said first wall(58) including a tab portion (62) for interlocking with said distal tip(60) of said first arm (54) when said girth support means (46) isexpanded to said support width.
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 2further characterized by said first arm (54) and said first wall (58)each having generally semi-circular shaped inner peripheries for forminga generally circular shaped beverage container support area when saidgirth support means (46) is moved to said support position.
 5. Anassembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by saidcollapsing means (50) including actuator means (52) for coacting with aportion of the receptacle (38) to actuate said collapsing means (50)upon rotation of said girth support means (46) about said hinge axis(A).
 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized bybiasing means (64) operatively connected to said first arm (54) forurging said first arm (54) toward said storage position.
 7. An assemblyas set forth in claim 6 further characterized by including bottomsupport means (90) for supporting the bottom of the beverage container(C).
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized bysaid girth support means (46) including a bar (92) moveable between anoperational position when said girth support means (46) is moved to saidsupport position and a recessed position when said girth support means(46) is moved to said storage position.
 9. An assembly as set forth inclaim 8 further characterized by including gravity centering means (94)for centering said bar (92) along a diameter of said circular innerperiphery of said first arm (54) and said first wall (58) in response tothe gravitational force when in said operational position.
 10. Anassembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said gravitycentering means (94) including a generally T-shaped tooth (96) extendingfrom said bar (92) and a matingly shaped coacting pocket (98) disposedin said first wall (58).
 11. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 andfurther characterized by said collapsing means (50) including a sliderelement (66) disposed for linear reciprocating movement and operativelyconnected to said actuator means (52) for linear movement in response toactuation of said actuator means (52).
 12. An assembly as set forth inclaim 11 further characterized by said biasing means (64) including acompression spring extending between said slider element (66) and saidfirst wall (58).
 13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 furthercharacterized by said collapsing means (50) including a drag link (70)extending between a first end (72) and a second end (74,) thereof withsaid first end (72) pivotally connected to said slider element (66) andsaid second end (74) pivotally connected to said first arm (54).
 14. Anassembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said actuatormeans (52) including a bell crank (78) having a driver end (80) disposedfor engaging the armrest (20) and a driven end (82) opposite said driverend (80).
 15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further characterizedby said actuator means (52) including a connecting rod (84) extendingbetween opposite ends with one of said ends being pivotally connected tosaid slider element (66) and the other of said ends being pivotallyconnected to said driven end (82) of said bell crank (78).
 16. Anassembly as set forth in claim 15 further characterized by said firstwall (58) including a radially extending opening (100) adapted toreceive a handle of the beverage container (C).
 17. An assembly as setforth in either of claims 2 or 16 further characterized by including asecond articulated (54') arm adjacent said first arm (54) and moveablein unison therewith in an opposite arcuate direction relative to saidfirst arm (54) within a plane continuously parallel to said hinge axis(A).
 18. A beverage container holding assembly for use in a vehiculararmrest (20), said assembly comprising: receptacle means (38) forinclusion in a vehicular armrest (70); girth support means (46) havingat least one movable first arm (54) and a stationary first wall (58)disposed opposite said first arm (54) for surrounding and supporting theside wall of a beverage container (C); hinge means (48) defining a hingeaxis (A) for rotatably connecting said girth support means (46) to saidreceptacle means (38) for arcuate movement between a storage conditiondisposed in said receptacle means (38) and an operational conditionoutside said receptacle means (38); and characterized by said girthsupport means (46) including collapsing means (50) for moving theentirety of said first arm (54) between a support position and a storageposition in a plane continuously parallel to said hinge axis (A) towardand away from said first wall (58) while maintaining said first wall(58) fixed relative to said plane of first arm (54) movement to allowcompact storage of said girth support means (46) in said receptaclemeans (38).
 19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 furthercharacterized by said receptacle means (38) including a lowercompartment (40), an upper lid (42) and a receptacle hinge (44)interconnecting said lower compartment (40) and said upper lid (42). 20.An assembly as set forth in claim 19 further characterized by said hingemeans (40) being connected to said lower compartment (40).
 21. Anassembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said arm (54) comprises afirst arm (54), further characterized by said first arm (54) includingpivot means (56) for moving said first arm (54) in a curvilinear pathbetween said support position and said storage position.
 22. An assemblyas set forth in claim 21 wherein said first arm (54) includes a distaltip (60) spaced from said pivot means (56), further characterized bysaid first wall (58) including a tab portion (62) for interlocking withsaid distal tip (60) of said first arm (54) when said first arm (54) isin said support position.
 23. An assembly as set forth in claim 21further characterized by said first arm (54) and said first wall (58)each having generally semi-circular shaped inner peripheries for forminga generally circular shaped beverage container support area when saidgirth support means (46) is moved to said support position.
 24. Anassembly as set forth in claim 23 further characterized by saidcollapsing means (50) including actuator means (52) for coacting withportion of said lower compartment (40)adjacent said hinge means (48) toactuate said collapsing means (50).
 25. An assembly as set forth inclaim 24 further characterized by including biasing means (64)operatively connected to said first arm (54) for urging said first arm(54) toward said storage position.
 26. An assembly as set forth in claim25 further characterized by including bottom support means (90) forsupporting the bottom of the beverage container (C).
 27. An assembly asset forth in claim 26 further characterized by said bottom support means(90) including a bar (92) moveable between an operational position whensaid girth support means (46) is moved to said support position and arecessed position when said girth support means (46) is moved to saidstorage position.
 28. An assembly as set forth in claim 27 furthercharacterized by gravity centering means (94) for centering said bar(92) along a diameter of said circular inner periphery of said first arm(54) and said first wall (58) in response to the gravitational forcewhen in said operational position.
 29. A assembly as set forth in claim28 further characterized by said gravity centering means (94) includinga generally T-shaped tooth (96) extending from said bar (92) and amatingly shaped coacting pocket (98) disposed in said first wall (58).30. An assembly as set forth in claim 26 further characterized by saidcollapsing means (50) including a slider element (66) disposed forlinear reciprocating movement and operatively connected to said actuatormeans (52) for linear movement in response to actuation of said actuatormeans (52).
 31. An assembly as set forth in claim 30 furthercharacterized by said biasing means (64)including a compression springextending between said slider element (66) and said first wall (54). 32.An assembly as set forth in claim 30 further characterized by saidcollapsing means (50) including a drag link (70) extending between afirst end (72) and a second end (74) thereof with said first end (72)pivotally connected to said slider element (66) and said second end (74)pivotally connected to said first arm (54).
 33. An assembly as set forthin claim 32 further characterized by said actuator means (52) includinga bell crank (78) having a driver end (80) disposed for engaging saidportion of lower compartment (40) and a driven end (82) opposite saiddriver end (80).
 34. An assembly as set forth in claim 33 furthercharacterized by said actuator means (52) including a connecting rod(84) extending between opposite ends with one of said ends beingpivotally connected to said slider element (66) and the other of saidends being pivotally connected to said driven end (82) of said bellcrank (78).
 35. An assembly as set forth in claim 34 furthercharacterized by said first wall (58) including a radially extendingopening (100) adapted to receive a handle of the beverage container (C).36. An assembly as set forth in claim 35 further characterized by saidreceptacle (44) hinge including a plurality of lid fingers (120)extending outwardly from and integrally connected to said lid (42) and aplurality of lower compartment fingers (122) disposed adjacent said lidfingers (120) and integrally connected to said lower compartment (40).37. An assembly as set forth in claim 36 further characterized by saidreceptacle means (38) including larch means (106) for releasablylatching said lid (42) to said lower compartment (40).
 38. An assemblyas set forth in claim 37 further characterized by said receptacle means(38) including adjustment means for adjusting the angle of saidreceptacle means (38) relative to a vehicular seating assembly (22)between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially verticalposition.
 39. An assembly as set forth in claim 38 further characterizedby said latch means (106) including automatic locking means (108) forautomatically locking said lid (42) and said lower compartment (40) in afastened condition when said receptacle means (38) is in said verticalposition.
 40. An assembly as set forth in either of claims 21 or 39further characterized by including a second articulated arm (54,)adjacent said first arm (54) and moveable in unison therewith in anopposite arcuate direction relative to said first arm (54) within aplane continuously parallel to said hinge axis (A).
 41. An assembly asset forth in claim 40 further characterized by said hinge axis (A) andthe axis of said receptacle hinge (44) being parallel.